Israel's hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked international outrage after posting a video showing detained Gaza flotilla activists being manhandled by security personnel. The footage, shared on his X account Wednesday, was captioned: 'That's how we welcome the terror supporters. Welcome to Israel.'
Video Shows Aggressive Treatment of Activists
The video depicts masked officers aggressively subduing activists by pushing them down, forcing them onto all fours, and dragging them across the floor. Detainees are then seen zip-tied and lined up inside a warehouse, kneeling with their faces pressed to the ground. Ben-Gvir waves an Israeli flag and shouts: 'Welcome to Israel. We're the landlords,' followed by, 'Good job. That's how you do it.'
In another clip, armed guards watch over bound activists forced to kneel on an exposed metal floor while the Israeli national anthem plays. One detainee with hands zip-tied speaks to Ben-Gvir, who repeatedly chants 'Am Israel Chai' ('The people of Israel live'). At the end, a woman is heard wailing, with Ben-Gvir saying, 'Don't be bothered by their screams.'
International Condemnation
The footage drew swift condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated: 'The way minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel's values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni slammed the 'unacceptable' treatment, writing on X: 'It is inadmissible that these demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates human dignity.' She said Italy was taking steps to secure the release of its citizens and demanded an apology. Italy's Foreign Ministry will summon the Israeli ambassador for clarification.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned Ben-Gvir, stating: 'You knowingly caused harm to our State in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time. You have undone tremendous, professional, and successful efforts made by so many people. No, you are not the face of Israel.'
Ben-Gvir's Response
In a second video, Ben-Gvir said the activists 'came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now.' He added: 'I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a long, long time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, that's what it should look like.'
Background on the Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in an attempt to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel's Navy intercepted the 68 vessels, and all 430 activists were transferred to Israeli vessels. The Foreign Ministry confirmed they will be able to meet with consular representatives. Activist on board included Italian lawmaker Dario Carotenuto and the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin called the interception in international waters 'absolutely unacceptable.' Israel has described the flotilla as 'a PR stunt at the service of Hamas' with no real intent to deliver aid.
Legal rights centre Adalah, whose lawyers met detainees at a detention centre in southern Israel, said: 'Israel is employing a criminal policy of abuse and humiliation against activists seeking to confront Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people.'
Ben-Gvir's History of Taunting Detainees
Ben-Gvir has a history of posting videos taunting detainees, particularly Palestinians. Earlier this year, he filmed Israeli forces raiding a section of Ofer Prison near Ramallah. The Palestinian Prisoner Society reported that during the 15-minute operation, Ben-Gvir hurled provocative and degrading remarks at prisoners. Detainees reported guards forcing them to keep their heads pressed to the ground, humiliating them, and physically torturing them. Testimonies included accounts of Ben-Gvir stepping on prisoners' heads and filming their abuse.
A former Israeli hostage taken to Gaza on October 7 reported that Hamas militants beat and starved hostages whenever Ben-Gvir bragged about worsening conditions for Palestinian detainees. The freed hostage told Israeli Channel 12: 'Once he talked about [the limited] food [Palestinians prisoners were receiving], and they locked us in a cage and said we could eat one date and drink salt water.'
